Surf the subways with these Apple iPhone apps for straphangers

New Yorkers with iPhones and iPod Touches are a common sight on the subways. You won't, however, see them check the MTA map or ask a conductor for directions - at least not if they've downloaded some of our favorite iPhone apps for straphangers.

GRAB IT: New York Nearest Subway ($1.99): This is one of the coolest apps we've come across, though you need an iPhone 3GS for it to work. Nearest Subway uses augmented reality to help you locate the closest subway station; once you've launched the app, simply hold your phone up, look through it, and it projects the direction and distance to various subway lines right on your screen. It even self-corrects as you walk, turn or tilt the phone. [iTunes link]

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CityTransit - Official NYC Subway Maps ($2.99): CityTransit is not nearly as spectacular as Nearest Subway, but it more than gets the job done with its high-quality map, stop-by-stop guide to all lines, a GPS-based station finder and advisories. [iTunes link]

iTransitBuddy - Metro North ($1.99) and StationStops Metro-North Grand Central Schedule ($2.99): It doesn't get any simpler or more useful than these apps for commuters who take Metro-North trains into the city. Just select your station, and the next scheduled train departure time pops up in an instant, along with the rest of the schedule. Of the two, we'll give the edge to iTransitBuddy, which is loaded with features, while StationStops lists only trains to and from Grand Central and not in-between stations. [iTunes link for iTransitBuddy] | [iTunes link for StationStops]

MetroCard Maximizer (99 cents): Tired of uneven balances on your MetroCard? Can't figure what you need to add when left with odd amounts? If so, this app, which does the math for you, pays for itself. [iTunes link]

HopStop (free): Works just like HopStop's popular Web site to give you directions from Point A to Point B via train, bus, taxi, your own two feet - or any combination thereof. The fact that it integrates GPS and your contacts list is icing on the cake. [iTunes link]

SKIP IT: iNap Arrival Alert (99 cents): If you're taking a long bus ride or train trip, iNap will use GPS to wake you up or simply alert you when you're in range of your destination. It's a great idea, well executed, but we stopped using it for one simple reason that's more Apple's fault than iNap's: It only works if it's running. If you want to start iNap, then surf the Web or check e-mail, you're out of luck. [iTunes link]